School of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Civil Engineering

Phase 8 Hydrology

Role of Hydrology in Water Resources

Planning and Management in the
Philippines
After this chapter, the student should be able to
Objective  Determine the Concepts of Probability and Statistics Hydrology
 Solve the Return Period, Design Storms and Design Turn-Off

• Agencies Involved in the Collection of Hydrologic Data.

Content • Problems of Watershed Management and Watershed Protection

Related
 https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/hydrology/
Readings

J. E. Gribbin, P.E., (2014). Introduction to Hydraulics and Hydrology with

References Applications for Stormwater Management. New York, USA: Delmar, Cengage
Learning
W. Brustsaert, (2005). Hydrology an Introduction. Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK:
Cambridge University Press, New York

Hydrology
 Phase 8
Role of Hydrology in Water Resources Planning and
Management in the Philippines
Role of Hydrology in Water Resources Planning and Management in the
Philippines
Agencies Involved in the Collection of Hydrologic Data

According to Madrazo in her paper entitled “Water Issues in the context of Sustainable
Development”, at the national level, the NWRB is responsible for policy formulation, administration
and enforcement of the Water Code of the Philippines. In this paper, it was observed that other
agencies perform policy formulation as it relates to their mandates. She then identifies the following
eight agencies that have water related mandates:

• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for flood control and drainage (this
responsibility has recently been transferred to the Metro Manila Development Authority)

• Department of Health (DOH) for sanitation

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for watershed protection and
water quality

• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for LGU-managed water supply, and
sewerage and sanitation systems and capability building

• National Power Corporation (NPC) for hydropower development

• National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Bureau of Soils and Water Management
(BSWM) for irrigation development

• Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for water supply, sewerage, and
sanitation in Metro Manila and, partially, in its neighboring provinces; and

• Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) for the Water Districts which manage water
supply and sewerage systems.

Madrazo also mentions that the existing regulatory set-up in the Philippines is quite complicated and
poses problems on conflicts of interests and possible overlapping of responsibilities that hinders
effective water resources management.

Instructor: Instructor’s Name Page 1 of 2

 Phase 8
Role of Hydrology in Water Resources Planning and
Management in the Philippines
Problems of Watershed Management and Watershed Protection

1. Flooding
- Flood problems are caused by many different factors. Hydrologic and hydraulic
modeling helps analyze effects of land cover, floodplain geometry, and rainfall
intensity.

- Flood scores reflect threats to public safety and property, as well as flood severity.
For large creeks and waterway systems, flood problem scores are calculated for
structures and street crossings. Floodplain models calculate predicted flooding
depths and flow velocities for storm events. For flooding outside of the creek’s
floodplain, modeling and citizen complaint data is used to identify and prioritize
problem areas, which are mostly associated with poor or outdated storm drain
systems.

2. Erosion
- Erosion problems can stem from changing land use conditions that increase the
quantity and velocity of storm water runoff. Stream channels react to these changes
by widening and deepening, which can cause creek bank failures, threaten Creekside
structures, and degrade water quality. Other problems occur due to improper
placement of buildings, parking lots, and utilities.

- Erosion problem scores are based on the number, type, and severity of the threat to
structures, infrastructure, and other valued features located along stream banks. The
scoring system takes into account factors such as distance of resources from the
steam bank, bank stability, vegetative cover, and stream meandering. Areas or
structures located near creek bends, steep slopes, high banks, and/or poor vegetative
cover are expected to have high problem severity scores.

3. Water Quality
- Water quality problems are multifaceted and complex to study and control. Key
concerns include increases in runoff and degradation of aquatic and riparian habitat.
Problems are measured using the Environmental Integrity Index (EII).

- The Environmental Integrity Index scoring system assesses water quality using 6
categories. Each factor is based on numerous field measurements. Healthy creeks
have high Environmental Integrity Index scores. Streams with more urbanization
have excessive sediment, nutrients, toxics, bacteria, and other concerns, and have
lower Environmental Integrity Index scores.

References:

GREENPEACE: The State of Water Resources in the Philippines

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/watershed-problems

Instructor: Instructor’s Name Page 2 of 2